Jun 14, 2018

Potato exports rally in April

U.S. exports of frozen potato products increased 8 percent in volume and 9 percent in value in April 2018 compared to April 2017, according to numbers reported by Potatoes USA. Dehy exports were up 21 percent in volume and 21 percent in value. Fresh exports were down 33 percent in volume and 13 percent in value. Frozen exports are up 1 percent for the July-June marketing year through April, with dehy up 5 percent year to date and fresh up 5 percent for the marketing year.

The increase in frozen exports was led by Mexico, which was up 87 percent for the month. There were other gains made in China, up 70 percent; the Philippines, up 18 percent; and Vietnam, up 77 percent. These gains were tempered by declines of 14 percent to Japan and 17 percent to Korea. For dehy, Mexico was up 50 percent for the month, Japan up 53 percent and the Philippines up 137 percent while Malaysia dropped 97 percent, though exports to this market remain up 20 percent for the year to date. The decline in fresh exports is due to the 50 percent decline to Canada for the month as well as 57 percent decline to Japan and 47 percent drop to Malaysia. This was tempered by a 145 percent increase to Korea and a 34 percent increase to Mexico.